Beavers in Poland

Beavers (Castor fiber) are a fairly common sight along many of Poland’s rivers and lakes.

An estimated 45,000 beavers live in Poland and although they enjoy a degree of protection under Polish law they are responsible for damage to both forestry and flood defences.

For many centuries they were hunted for their beaver coats and their meat. Indeed, Beaver meat was much prized by monks, who because of the resemblance of a beaver’s tail to fish scales, saw the meat as meatless and therefore fine for them to eat!